At Miramar Sailing we are passionate about two causes. The world’s oceans, and the pollution they suffer at the hands of some large corporations and anyone else who is too lazy to care, and the need to educate and empower more women in the world!

At a recent address to the US Congress, one world leader, French President Emmanuel Macron, spoke out brilliantly on the subject and received a standing ovation from the Congress members. We hope this message to an influential American audience will filter through to President Donald Trump who currently appears to turn a deaf ear to anything concerning pollution and a greener world for the benefit of our future generations.

At the recent G7 summit held in Canada, Canadian President, Justin Trudeau, set the ball rolling and garnered agreement from the summit members to allocate almost $3bn to this cause worldwide. See this BBC News item.

Two major causes brought to the attention of the world stage in a matter of weeks! We MUST be making progress!!

What a fabulous 17 weeks our latest Yachtmaster Xpress students have had!

Starting their intensive training programme on January 6th this year as novice Competent Crew, this ambitious couple have trained and sailed for well over 2,500 miles up and down the Caribbean Island Chain and achieved everything they set out to.

On Saturday April 28th, they “sailed” through their Yachtmaster Offshore examination with excellent reports from the examiner.

On Thursday May 3rd, they did just as well with their Yachtmaster Ocean Theory course, under Pippa’s training, mastering the technicalities and mathematics of position determination by sextant equally as well.

Their final week involves preparation for the Yachtmaster Ocean exam with a 3 day trip to Barbuda and the reality of using the sextant at sea both by day & night. Their final hurdle will be completing the 600 mile non stop passage, with sextant positioning, before they qualify to take the examination.

We have no doubt they will sail and qualify well.

Many congratulations to them both from all at Miramar Sailing, and our best wishes to our latest Yachtmaster Xpress intake, Florrie, Phil and JT, who joined on Sunday, April 29th for an equally good result.

]]>http://www.miramarsailing.com/news/huge-congratulations-to-martin-ashley/feed5Fast Track Yachtmaster Xpress Revampedhttp://www.miramarsailing.com/news/fast-track-yachtmaster-xpress-revamped
http://www.miramarsailing.com/news/fast-track-yachtmaster-xpress-revamped#respondTue, 17 Apr 2018 18:52:29 +0000http://www.miramarsailing.com/?p=14021Continued]]>Our YACHTMASTER XPRESS programme offers an unprecedented combination of new skills learning, a high level RYA/MCA qualification, plus a Caribbean sailing and touring adventure that would cost a fortune if you chartered your own skippered yacht.
Previously we have offered only one programme a year from January. Due to demand we have decided to add a second programme starting in late April.

This decision led to a rethink about how we could further enhance the experience, enjoyment and value for our clients.
What follows is the result of this.
The programme is still 16 weeks duration. It is still priced very favourably given what is included. It still offers first class training by RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Instructors.
So, what has changed?
The early, but essential, parts of the course will still take place around the waters of Antigua and The Leeward Islands. Beautiful sailing grounds in themselves.
The latter part of the previous XPRESS programme took us down to the Windward Islands and St. Vincent and the Grenadines for 6 weeks, where the cruising grounds are approved by the RYA as tidal.
The mileage criteria for the Yachtmaster Offshore examination are crucial so we are obliged to log at least 1,250 non-tidal miles, and 1,250 tidal miles.

Whereas previously we built the non-tidal miles before heading South for the tidal mile building phase, we have decided to add more of a ‘cruising’ appeal to the challenge of building those miles and experience.
Rather than do all the non-tidal miles first, then chasing the tidal miles, we feel that the students will get more opportunity to enjoy the Caribbean if we cruise more slowly South, exploring parts of the Windward Islands and St. Vincent & The Grenadines on the way, then return North exploring different islands on the way back. We will then head South again, with a chance to visit the islands we missed on the previous trip.

These extra weeks will ensure that our students get a wonderful insight into the islands of the Caribbean plus the critical mileage requirement for examination will have been completely fulfilled before the Yachtmaster exam is applied for.

Our YACHTMASTER XPRESS programme includes all the RYA sailing qualifications from novice to Yachtmaster Offshore PLUS several supplementary, non-obligatory courses, that we believe make a complete Yachtmaster Offshore.
The courses are:

Competent Crew

Day Skipper Theory

Day Skipper Practical

Coastal Skipper Theory

Coastal Skipper Practical

SRC (VHF) Radio

First Aid

Diesel Engine Maintenance

Radar

Power Boat Level 2

Add these 10 RYA Training Courses to the 10 weeks of sailing, learning, and experience building around the Caribbean Island Chain, and you will enjoy the ultimate in Caribbean Sailing Adventures. If you get it right, you will also come out of the experience as a RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore.
So, what is included in the course fee?

Free accommodation for the duration of the course. Catered when sailing, uncatered when not.

All course materials and certificates.

Expert tuition from RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Instructors.

Loan of vehicle, or tender, for travel within the Jolly Harbour Marina complex. Fuel not included.

All customs and immigration dues in all islands.

Berthing / mooring fees in all islands.

Communal refrigerator at school base.

Laundry facilities when at school base.

Free Wi-Fi when at school base.

The next YACHTMASTER XPRESS starts on April 29th There is one place left!

Start thinking now about the 2019 course that starts on Sunday January 6th.

If you have a gap year coming up, or are looking for a complete lifestyle and career change, or are preparing yourself for entry into the Super Yacht Industry, this is the course for you!

]]>http://www.miramarsailing.com/news/fantastic-antigua-sailing-week-2018-charter-opportunity/feed02nd Yachtmaster Xpress Course for 2018http://www.miramarsailing.com/general/2nd-yachtmaster-xpress-course-for-2018
http://www.miramarsailing.com/general/2nd-yachtmaster-xpress-course-for-2018#respondWed, 21 Feb 2018 13:00:33 +0000http://www.miramarsailing.com/?p=13882Continued]]>For the first time in the 8 year history of Miramar Sailing School we are offering a 2nd Yachtmaster Xpress course commencing on Sunday April 29thUPDATED March 22nd, 2018 – Now only one place remaining. You have just over a month to join the crew for this fantastic Caribbean Sailing Adventure!

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The Yachtmaster Xpress course targets those looking for a life style change, a new career, or just an adventurous sailing experience in the Caribbean with the added bonus of training and RYA certification.

This is an intense program that includes 3 weeks of shore based training and 13 weeks of sailing around the vast majority of the islands in the Caribbean Island Chain from the Leewards in the north, to the Grenadines in the south. It culminates in the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster exam, the pinnacle qualification for most sailors.

There are 2 berths available. Get on board for this fantastic opportunity to become a RYA/MCA Yachtmaster in a very short period of time compared to taking courses and gaining experience in smaller blocks!

]]>http://www.miramarsailing.com/general/2nd-yachtmaster-xpress-course-for-2018/feed0Sail the World and Build Mileshttp://www.miramarsailing.com/news/sail-the-world-and-build-miles
http://www.miramarsailing.com/news/sail-the-world-and-build-miles#respondWed, 31 Jan 2018 18:30:50 +0000http://www.miramarsailing.com/?p=13853Fabulous Cruising and Mile Building opportunities on fabulous yachts

Within our Miramar Sailing School we offer Mile Building opportunities for prospective Yachtmaster Examination candidates throughout the Leeward Islands and Windward Islands south as far as The Grenadines.

There are a lot of passages offered that include transatlantic, or partial Atlantic passages as well as passages up and down the Caribbean Island Chain and from the Adriatic, across the Mediterranean to the Canary Islands.

These passages offer a lower cost option than actually chartering a place in a Racing Event but still get you sailing to different destinations and building those all-important miles. Atlantic miles qualify for tidal miles for your Yachtmaster Examination qualifying criteria.

Highly experienced Round the World skippers, who also have highly regarded training skills, will teach you the technicalities of these yachts and how to sail them fast!

As the start day for this race on Monday February 19th approaches rapidly, the excitement, anticipation and tension is building among our ladies and girls who just can’t wait to get out there and have FUN!
Led by Pippa “The Skippa” – Kate, Charlotte, Valerie, Caroline, Ali, Karen, Carrie, and Haylee have already made acquaintances and built friendships through their Crew Facebook page.
It has been terrific to follow their interaction and mutual encouragement and co-operation on the colour and style of their crew shirts, which we are sure they will all wear with pride!
They will be carrying the banner of Miramar Sailing, whilst at the same time promoting the concept of Girls Go Sailing. An ethos they all hold close to their hearts.
They are even more buoyed with the knowledge that there is one other all female yacht – a Beneteau First 40 – which they shall be challenging in our beautiful Grand Soleil 46.3 “Phoenix”.
When they first decided to join us for this awesome event, they thought they would be racing our sadly departed Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 (also “Phoenix”), and a finish would be a fantastic achievement.
Now, in this superb, new addition to our fleet, a true racer / cruiser, they have realistic hopes of a result!!
Go girls. I am not racing but I shall be following you all the way as I suspect many female sailors will be doing!
Watch them closely as we shall be looking to repeat this fabulous opportunity in 2019.